This week at Roseau was a week to raise money and to celebrate the life of a young carper by the name of David Moss who sadly lost his life whilst out doing the sport we all love. Just before Christmas I heard of the sad news through Carp Crusaders who David was a member of.
Carp Crusaders and their members along with Tackle companies and fellow Carpers countrywide all wanted to help raise money for what has now been called 'The David Moss Fund', being a Carp angler myself I was very touched by the way 'we' all grouped together to mourn the loss of such a young and talented Carp Angler.
Being in the fortunate position of having a fishery in France I wanted to offer the lake up for auction. I contacted Angling Lines who agreed they would support me in my decision to offer Roseau for auction, so my next step was to contact Baggins of Carp Crusaders to inform him of what I wanted to do and how best to go around doing so. We agreed on the auction for a “Week In France”. It was to end on Christmas Eve and the lucky winner was Anthony Downes, along with three of his friends Peter, Martin and Sean they all gave up their hard earned cash to help raise money for young David’s family.
They arrived nice and early to spend the week with us, pleasantries were made over teas and coffees and a short time later we were heading down the tracks to have a walk around and discuss the previous weeks captures along with tactics and the “going” areas they should target. Unfortunately the previous week hadn’t produced a single fish due to the severe weather we’re still experiencing but luckily for them the large lake was empty so I advised them to split up into two groups of two which may help their chances, so Martin and Anthony decided to double up in peg 9 and Peter and Sean took the small lake. Happy with their swim choice I left them to it and returned to the lodge to warm up!
- 29.14 - Anthony
Shower block cleaned and dinner tables laid for dinner I decided to take a wander down to see how they were getting on and after a long journey, which always starts Friday afternoon, I wasn’t surprised to find them resting in the comforts of their new homes for the week. Not being one for the cold I soon jumped in Peter’s and Sean day shelter for a cup of coffee, as nice as it was I had to head back for dinner which was being served at 18:30.
The boys arrived eager to sample the menu and were soon washing it down with a few bottles of Kronenburg along with the banter we always have here at Roseau, a very enjoyable night was had but fish they must so they headed off down the hopeful path to try and outwit some of the winter Carp!
The following morning at Breakfast I was pleased to find out that Anthony aka Ratty had landed a 29lb 14oz Mirror, despite being pleased with his result the reality that it wasn’t going to be an easy weeks fishing dawned, the Carp were clearly still in winter mode but all the guys were hopeful.
A couple of days into the session, Pete who was fishing the small lake with Sean decided on a move, without seeing any fish in his current swim made a move round to peg one after taking some advice from myself and after a short chat about location his spots were soon clipped up. That night he went on to land a 17lb Mirror, he was over the moon with the result especially after taking the effort and time to relocate. He followed that up with a 22lb Mirror the next afternoon, feeling confident in his new swim he began to relax and really did fish well, effort equals reward and any fish had was well deserved even just for sitting it out in the horrible conditions they had, and were going to have all week.
- 28.03 - Peter
Sean was battling away with his chosen spots but unfortunately hadn’t see any signs of fish in his areas or surrounding areas so continued with his approach in the hope of a warmer weather front and a change in fortune but as with angling sometimes it just doesn’t happen, not for want of trying.
Anthony went on to land a scraper 20 the following night, it was nice to see his friends happy for him as apparently, he’s a bit of a blanker! Martin who was bivvied up next to Anthony hadn’t had a sniff up until now but casting onto the island he certainly wasn’t going to get a takes there lol, the wind was so aggressive it was moving the leads in flight some 20 yards from the marked spots, it really was horrible and the only way to get remotely comfortable was to sit in the bivvy door supping coffee with coffee mate, not one to pass on the opportunity of someone making me a hot drink I jumped in to gain some colour back into my finger tips, lovely it was too, thanks mate!
That night we decided on a bit of a social and a 'few' cans were had along with some cake my wife had made whilst out with my children to spend some time with me, it was a delicious Chocolate Fudge Cake which went down a treat. The next night, probably due to the harsh conditions and biting winds the boys decided on another social and a few games of Killer on the pool table were soon under way, it would be fair to say that Pete was, by midnight, a little worse for wear but fancied some cake. Not one to disappoint, my wife sliced up a lovely lemon cake which Pete pretty much destroyed all by himself, it really was a good night and I thoroughly enjoyed spending it with them as did my wife.
The next morning the boys arrived for breakfast with no news of fish as sensibly they didn’t fish due to the social the evening before so were soon eager to get back down the lakes to try and catch a few, unfortunately for them it was just one of those weeks where the weather had played them a bad hand, but as we all do they continued in their efforts. That night Martin did manage to land a Mirror from near the bridge so we were all chuffed for him to get off the mark, later in the week he did manage a new PB too which was great to hear as well as a pleasure for his mates to be with him whilst achieving it.
- 30 - Peter
The week was flying by and Pete was now having it off in peg one taking a 29lb’er, followed this up with a 28lb’er and then breaking the biggest fish barrier which they had all agreed on by some 2oz’s with a Mirror of bang on 30lb, a big well done to him as he really did fish well even with those rigs lol...
Unfortunately for me, as is the case every week I have to say goodbye to the boys, the week went too fast but hopefully the lads can return in better weather conditions to experience the complex for what it really is, however the most important thing is we raised money and celebrated the life of young David and his memory will live on here at Roseau Carp Fishery...
See ya on the bank!
